AE Cash

Struck: 1368 - 1398
Mint: Zhejiang Province
Size: 23.7mm
Weight: 2.49g
Die Axis: 0°
Grade: VF
Ref: Hartill 20.71

Obv: Hong Wu Tong Bao Bao.
Rev: Zhe (Zhejiang province).
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The Hongwu Emperor, also known by his given name Zhu Yuanzhang and his temple name Ming Taizu, was the founder and first emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1368 to 1398.

In the middle of the 14th century, with famine, plagues, and peasant revolts sweeping across China, Zhu rose from a peasant family to command the force that conquered China and ended the Yuan Dynasty. In January of 1368, Zhu proclaimed himself Emperor and Ming armies headed north to attack territories that were still under the Yuan Dynasty's rule. The Mongols gave up their capital city of Khanbaliq (present-day Beijing) and the rest of northern China in September 1368 and retreated to Mongolia. The Ming army captured the last Yuan-controlled province of Yunnan in 1381 and China was unified under the Ming Dynasty's rule.

Hongwu's rule was influenced by his own peasant past and many of his policies were designed to aid poor farmers. He distributed land to the poor and implemented many public works projects designed to help the peasantry. However, he was also incredibly cruel and paranoid. He frequently executed those he suspected of plotting against him, and even went so far as to punish friends and family members of the accused. He was known for whipping and beating his ministers in court if they displeased him.

The Hongwu Emperor died on June 24, 1398 after reigning for 30 years at the age of 69. He was buried at Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum on the Purple Mountain, east of Nanjing.